Regular Meeting Agenda for Thursday, 12 Mar 09, 12:15 PM
at the Centre Region COG Building, Forum Room

I.         CALL TO ORDER and ROLL CALL:
          Vice-Chair Roy Harpster will chair the meeting since Ms. Mascolo is out of town.
• Ms. Sue Mascolo, Chair       Ferguson Twp.    • Mr. Roy Harpster, Vice-Chair   Harris Twp.
• Ms. Kathy Matason, Sec.     College Twp.      • Ms. Donna Conway, Treas.   State College Borough
• Donna M. Ricketts, D.Ed.      SCASD             • Mr. Chris Hurley                   Patton Twp.

II.       COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC for any item not on the agenda (up to 3 min./person)

III.      APPROVAL OF MINUTES
• from the Special Meeting on 27 Jan 09       (Attachment # 1)        (Action)
• from the Regular Meeting on 12 Feb 09      (Attachment # 2)        (Action)

IV.      ACTION ON VOUCHERS from Feb.                   (Attachment # 3)        (Action)

V.        COMMITTEE REPORTS

• Member & Municipal Committee Updates:
College Twp.                       Ferguson Twp.                       Patton Twp.
State College Borough           Harris Twp.                            SCASD

• Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee: Ms. Hetrick & Ms. Matason. The committee met on 18 Feb 09.

• COG Parks Capital Committee: Mr. Woodhead and Mr. Harpster
The committee (formerly the Ad Hoc Parks Committee) met on 19 Feb 09 that included a Special Meeting of the Authority to continue discussions about the proposed agreements with SCASD on Welch Pool, the regional park projects, a Hess Field update and budget planning for the regional parks initiatives. (The minutes from that Special Meeting will be presented to the Authority in April.)

• Regional Park Planning Committee: Mr. Woodhead and Mr. Harpster
(The CRPR Board and the COG Ad Hoc Regional Park Committee)
The committee hosted a community meeting on 10 Feb 09 at the College Township Municipal Building, 7:30 PM, to obtain public input. 80 residents attended. The next meeting of the committee will be scheduled for the end of March or early-April.

VI.      STAFF REPORTS
• Director’s Reports
Activity Report for February                       (Attachment # 4)
Connections Grant Update (Ms. Hetrick)       (Attachment # 5)
2009 Agency Goals /Work Program              (Attachment # 6)
• Supervisor Highlights:
Mr. Greg Roth            Ms. Barbara Lindenbaum        Ms. Beth Lee (on vacation)
Mr. Jeff Hall               Ms. Molly Hetrick                  Mr. Todd Roth (on vacation)

VII.     COMMUNICATIONS
• A letter from Ms. Mascolo and Dr. Marboe to Senator Corman regarding the Spring Creek Education Building at the nature center, in response to a prior letter from Rep. Hanna. (Attachment # 7)
• A letter from the Centre Lacrosse Committee based at 428 N. Wilson St., Bellefonte, PA, in regard to agency operations and their uses of municipal park fields. Since the arrival of their letter, staff reminded the group, per standard policy, that no field uses are permitted until a permit is issued. (Attachment # 8)

VIII.   INFORMATION ITEMS
• Per the attached legal ad, the College Township Planning Commission will consider the proposed plan for the Spring Creek Education Building at their meeting on Tuesday 17 Mar 09, 7:30 PM. Members of the Authority and the MMNC Advisory Committee are welcome to attend.(Attachment # 9)
• A Penn State University plan will be circulated regarding the proposed “Millbrook Marsh Bikeway.” A grant application from PSU (that included a letter of support for the project from CRPR staff) for the full $2.4 million cost has been submitted to PennDOT for the project.
• The Community Tennis Group is not yet ready to make a presentation to the Board regarding their facility suggestions. In the meantime, staff asks if, from the Board’s perspective, these topics summarize the major items to discuss:
1.         The Board recognizes the need for a number of standard, outdoor tennis courts in the regional parks (plans under development).
2.          With regard to standard, outdoor courts: Courts current availability (in schools and parks) vs. the (former) NRPA standards?
3.          Quantify the need for a year-round facility (along with the required winterized, support facilities)
4.          Various locations examined, including expanding existing school or municipal courts and/or covering those courts?
5.          What discussions with other sport groups have been held to secure other partners?
6.          Development of a business plan with respect to construction, operation & maintenance costs?
7.          Is municipal operation or backing warranted, as opposed to a commercial or non-profit operation?

IX.      ACTION ITEMS

A.        2009 GRANT APPLICATION TO CENTRAL PA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: Ms. Hetrick
Authority Resolution 2-2009 is proposed for approval to authorize staff to submit a grant application for $3,000 to the CPCVB to fund the production of an updated brochure for Millbrook Marsh Nature Center. No match is required. Ms. Hetrick will provide the specifics of the application and the prior grant awards to the Authority. (Attachment # 10) (Action)

B.        PARK FOREST POOL CONSTRUCTION: Mr. Woodhead
1.         Mr. Woodhead will provide a brief construction update.
2.         The Authority is asked to approve the following Change Orders, previously signed by the Director per the Change Order Policy.  (Attachment # 11 A/B/C) (Action)

3.         The following change orders remain “in processing” and will be proposed when all the details are complete.

C.        WELCH POOL RENEWAL: Mr. Woodhead
For the Authority’s reference, copies of the two CRRA-signed agreements presented to the SCASD Board of Directors are attached. The proposed agreements were tabled the SCASD Board on Wed., 4 Mar 09. On Tuesday, 10 Mar 09, Mr. Steff and Mr. Woodhead will be meeting with District Staff to discuss their items of concern to the District. Mr. Steff and Mr. Woodhead will update the Authority on those items and will seek direction.   (Attachment # 12 A/B)

X.        ADJOURNMENT                           (Action)

•          COG Parks Capital Committee Meeting: Th, 19 Apr 09, COG Building, Forum Room
•          Next Board Meeting: Th, 9 Apr 09, 12:15 PM, COG Building, Forum Room
•          The next Regional Park Planning Committee meeting has not yet been scheduled.